Archive for the ‘Library Services’ Category

If you live in Newmarket, you now have access to free streaming video and other services from your library.

Along with free downloadable e-books and e-audiobooks, the library now offers Freegal Music, whose name combines “free” and “legal”. With your library card, you can download 5 songs per week and stream 3 hours of music per day. There are 8 million songs available, including the entire Sony Music catalogue, plus music videos. There is also Zinio, a magazine service that offers 50 different titles, all available for downloading to any device. All music and magazines are yours to keep.

Gale Courses is a large selection of online courses on things like web design, sales and marketing, and digital photography. Courses run for 6 weeks and are led by real instructors who mark assignments and provide you with a certificate if you pass. Or if you prefer to learn languages, Mango Languages offers lessons in over 60 languages, plus ESL courses for speakers of 12 other languages.

As of January, the library also added Indieflix, which offers thousands of award-winning independent films. In addition, 4000 e-audiobook titles were added to OneClick Digital as a compliment to the larger Overdrive database of e-books.

“It’s a great time to get connected to digital media at your library,” said Todd Kyle, library CEO. “It’s all free and all you need is a library card.”

Newmarket Public Library released results of a study called the Impact Survey, which looks at how people in a community use free access to computers and the Internet at the library. The library, which offers 20 workstations, 8 laptops, and wireless Internet, as well as computer help, reports that 57% of those surveyed used a public access computer or the library’s wireless network in the past year.

The most frequently reported use of library computers was for staying in touch with family and friends and for building and maintaining social networks, followed by health and wellness information, employment needs, and educational activities. Several people reported searching for a job online, and three people even said they’d found a new job as a result.

More than two-thirds of library computer users reported that they have access to the Internet at home, school, or work, but still choose to use the library’s technology. But of those who don’t have access elsewhere, more than two-thirds are below the low-income cut-off.

“This shows that library computer access is essential, and more so for disadvantaged people”, said Todd Kyle, library CEO. “Our library’s role is to lead a learning community, and that means helping people get the skills and technology they need to participate in a digital world. The future of our community depends on it.”

The survey, developed by the University of Washington DC, is being piloted for use in Canada by a small number of libraries including Newmarket and Edmonton. View the full report.

NEWMARKET, Ontario, October 22, 2014 –
Newmarket Public Library was recognized for its innovative achievements over the past year when it received the ‘Innovation Of The Year Award’ at the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Business Excellence Awards.

The annual awards ceremony celebrates both profit and non-profit businesses that have made significant contributions to the economic and social well-being of the Town of Newmarket.

“I’m proud that the library has been recognized as such an important part of the economic and social vitality of the Newmarket community,” said Todd Kyle, CEO of Newmarket Public Library. “It is especially gratifying to win it during Canadian Library Month, which celebrates how libraries inspire people and provide them with opportunities.”

During the past year Newmarket Public Library introduced a number of initiatives to keep pace with changing trends in technology and to ensure its place in the community as a centre for community dialogue, debate, and discovery. These initiatives included:

● IdeaMarket, a venue that lets groups, organizations and community members share their
views on a wide variety of topics through informative panel discussions that are open to the public.

● Tech Time For Kids, an ongoing program series that provides children with hands-on, interactive
experiences with various technologies.

● Digital music and magazine services that library members can use to download or stream songs, and
download digital copies of popular publications.

Newmarket Public library and York Region Food Network launch seed library, invite community members toparticipate

NEWMARKET, Ontario, September 12, 2014 – Newmarket Public Library today announced the launch of its new Seed Library created in conjunction with York Region Food Network, while extending an open invitation to members of the community to become part of a growing trend toward community food sharing.

The new Seed Library will rely on members who will maintain it be donating, lending, and exchanging seeds with each other. As the number of seed libraries in North America has increased in recent years, many have found homes in public libraries.

“‘If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need,’” says Joan Stonehocker, Executive Director of the York Region Food Network. “That’s a famous quote by Cicero and it’s entirely appropriate that our new community seed library will be part of our library, a community hub whose slogan is ‘inspiring growth’”.

On Tuesday, September 23rd from 7-9 p.m. a Seed Library Workshop & Exchange will be held at the library and hosted by Jacob Kearey-Moreland of the Orillia and Toronto Seed Libraries. He will be discussing the popularity of seed libraries and how members maintain them by donating, lending and exchanging plant seeds such as tomatoes, lettuce, beans, peas, peppers, and more.

“People can become members simply by bringing in seeds from their own gardens,” says Todd Kyle, CEO of Newmarket Public Library. “They can choose from seeds in the collection, take them home, grow them, save some of the seeds from the next generation of plants, and bring them in to add to the collection and share with others.”

Interested individuals can pre-register or get more information on the upcoming Seed Library Workshop & Exchange be calling 905-953-5110 Ext. 4770

Newmarket Public Library is investing in the future growth of our community by providing access to a wide range of resources for individuals, families, children, teenagers, senior citizens, and businesses. The Library is located at 438 Park Avenue in Newmarket. Hours of operation are Tuesday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday (Sept.-May) 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Visit us online at www.newmarketpl.ca

York Region Food Network offers programs, raises awareness and promotes policy changes for increased access to affordable and nutritious food produced within a sustainable food system. Our vision is Food for Health – Food for All. To learn more about YRFN, visit our website at www.yrfn.ca

NEWMARKET, Ontario, September 4, 2014 –
Newmarket Public Library today announced the launch of Tech Time For Kids, a new ongoing series of free programs for children and their families focusing on the latest in technology.

Tech Time For Kids offers interesting and informative sessions that expose children to emerging technologies, demonstrating how they can assist them at school and in their daily lives. Programs range from learning how to use electronic devices to 3-D printing, creating digital music to building robotic items. Knowledgeable staff members host the programs, while some are led by outside experts.

“We live in a world where technology is prevalent and it’s important for children to gain insight into how it impacts their lives,” says Todd Kyle, the library’s CEO. “ Tech Time For Kids provides hands-on, interactive experiences with various technologies.”

Children are invited to bring their own digital devices to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs to get answers and friendly assistance in how to operate eBook Readers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. And the very young can enjoy digital storytelling sessions led by a staff member utilizing an iPad and story apps, as well as Tumblebooks.

The Tech Time For Kids provides children with the opportunity to discover today’s digital world, and help prepare them for the evolution of technology and the advances it will bring in the future.

For more on the Tech Time For Kids please visit http://www.newmarketpl.ca/kids/tech-time-kids

Nomination for 2014 Business Excellence Award caps year that saw the library launch online magazines, music downloads, IdeaMarket, and more

NEWMARKET, Ontario, April 24, 2014 –
Newmarket Public Library has released its first ever report to the community, highlighting initiatives taken during year one of the library’s Strategic Plan 2013-2016. The report includes a number of firsts for the library, such as e-magazines, music downloads, the IdeaMarket series of community conversations, children’s technology learning programs, and more.

“The library now offers its members access to digital magazines and music, in addition to eBooks,” said Todd Kyle, the library’s CEO. “And we have introduced more programs to teach people how to use the technology required to enjoy digital media. Our goal is to provide library members with access to the wide range of knowledge and resources available in today’s digital world.”

The Newmarket Chamber of Commerce recognized the library’s successes in the past year with a nomination for a 2014 Business Excellence Award (winners will be announced at a gala on October 16, 2014).

Some of the achievements highlighted in the report include:

● Online Music. The library’s freegal music service allows members to download 5 songs per week and stream 3 hours of music daily. Users can choose from millions of songs from record labels worldwide, as well as Sony Music’s vast catalogue of contemporary and classic artists.

● Digital Magazines. The Zinio digital magazine service lets library members download popular magazines such as Canadian Gardening, Discover, Cosmopolitan, The Hockey News, Good Housekeeping, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, Outside and more. Complete digital issues can be accessed from multiple platforms (computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.), and there are no waiting lists or due dates.

● Online Language Lessons. Mango Languages provides library members with the opportunity to learn over 50 different languages through simple online instructions.

● IdeaMarket. IdeaMarket events provide a venue for community members to share ideas, express their views, ignite debate, and create conversations based on issues that impact Newmarket residents.

● Tech Time For Kids. Bi-weekly programs providing children and their families with the opportunity to discover the positive benefits of digital literacy through friendly and informative hands-on sessions. Programs range from exploring digital music to 3-D printing, from GPS-enabled geocaching treasure hunts to using Lego Mindstorms and StoryStarter educational kits.

● New Equipment & Collaborative Work Spaces. The library has created new work spaces for groups, including a teen area featuring a large-screen monitor and Internet-enabled conference table. Teens use the equipment to connect their laptop computers and mobile devices for collaborative group work.

“As Newmarket transitions to a community engaged in the knowledge economy, the library is evolving to reflect that,” says Kyle. “Newmarket Public Library is rapidly becoming a centre of dialogue, learning, and discovery.”

The library’s report to the community will be presented to Town of Newmarket Council at their meeting on May 5, 2014, and is currently available online at www.newmarketpl.ca/report.

NEWMARKET, Ontario, February 1, 2012 — Newmarket Public Library would like to invite Newmarket residents to attend two focus group sessions designed to generate feedback that will aid the library in shaping its future. The sessions are open to library members and non-members. The goal is to involve as many people as possible in a candid discussion about the library, its services, and its role in the community.

“Our goal is to get a snapshot of how residents currently view the library,” said Todd Kyle, the library’s CEO, “We hope to involve as many people as possible in dialogue that will help us develop new strategic objectives to serve and support the community.”

Professional presenters provide step by step instructions that are available online 24/7.

NEWMARKET, Ontario, August 26, 2011 –
Newmarket Public Library today announced a new service that provides library members with the opportunity to expand their computer knowledge through online video tutorials.

“We are pleased to be able to provide the community with a resource that is both easy to use and a great way to build valuable computer skills,” said Todd Kyle, CEO of Newmarket Public Library. “Library members can use these tutorials at home to increase their knowledge of computers and software programs at their own speed.”

Library members can register for LearningExpressLibrary Canada tutorials, which are professionally created videos with hosts who walk viewers through instructions step by step. The tutorials have something for everyone from the novice to the more advanced computer user.

People who are new to computers and the Internet will find tutorials on the basics, such as Windows,
e-mail, surfing the Internet, social networks and more. More knowledgeable users who want to expand their skills can choose from tutorials on software programs, including Microsoft’s Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and Adobe’s Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver.

To take advantage of the tutorials Individuals will need to have the particular software program they want to learn. However, most people with a computer have Microsoft Office, and it is available on the Library’s computers so people can book time on them if they want to learn how to use Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).

Tutorials can be accessed 24/7. They can also be added to My Center on the LearningExpress Canada website, where they are stored for quick and easy access whenever a user wants to return to them (the next time they access My Center a screen prompt will ask them if they want to resume from where they left off). When a tutorial is no longer needed, it can be easily removed from My Center.

Anyone with a valid Newmarket Public Library card will have unlimited access, free of charge, to this excellent resource. People can register for the service at www.newmarketpl.ca, by clicking on Services, then Learning Express Library.

Newmarket Public Library is now providing Library members who have a visual, physical or intellectual impairment an opportunity to book time on its new accessible computer workstation.

“The new workstation features the latest in technology,” said Todd Kyle, CEO of Newmarket Public Library. “People who have difficulty using regular computers will find it more user-friendly. We are pleased to provide them with this opportunity for a more enjoyable computing experience.”

The new workstation is equipped with the latest in assistive hardware and software, including:Touchscreen. Users simply touch the screen with a finger, hand or the computer workstation’s stylus to move around a page.

Large Print Keyboard. EzSee™ keyboard features oversized high contrast black on yellow letters, numbers, and symbols.

Oversize mouse. Almost four times the size of a regular mouse, the Infogrip® mous

e is designed for people who need to use their entire hand for control. With blue oversized left and right buttons that help avoid unwanted mouse clicks.

Adjustable Desk. Built-in electric motor allows individuals using the desk to simply press a button to adjust the height of the desk to suit them – no manual hand cranking required.

Screen Magnifier. ZoomText 9.1 screen magnification software allows you to increase the size of the screen to make text more readable.

System Access Screen Reader. Utilizes a speech synthesizer to identify and read aloud text on a computer screen.

Kurzweil 3000. An educational software for individuals with learning difficulties, including those who are struggling with reading comprehension, individuals learning English as a second language, and persons with impaired vision or physical disabilities.

The new workstation is located on the main level of the Library. Anyone with a valid Library card can book time to use the workstation at the Circulation Desk on the main floor. For more information call 905-953-5110 Ext. 4700.

NEWMARKET, Ontario, July 27, 2011 – Newmarket Public Library today announced the launch of its mobile catalogue, which is accessible from Internet-enabled mobile devices and smartphones.

Now library members have the option of searching the catalogue and accessing selected Library information wherever they may be: commuting, travelling, at home, at work, or anywhere else they use their mobile devices.

“The number of people using handheld devices to access the Internet is growing and to serve them better the new user-friendly version of our catalogue is ideal for mobile technology,” said Todd Kyle, CEO of Newmarket Public Library. ““It’s an excellent addition to our existing digital resources, which include e-books and online databases.”

Newmarket Public Library is one of the first in Ontario to offer a mobile version of its catalogue, which allows a library member to:

● Search the Library’s online catalogue using a number of qualifiers including author,
subject, genre, and more.

● Check their account and reserve items.

● View new and popular titles available at the Library.

● Download e-books and audiobooks, after first downloading a free application compatible
with their mobile device from the Library’s OverDrive service.